Lebanese store closes over cross slippers

FURN AL-SHUBBAK, Lebanon, Sept. 2 (UPI) -- The owner of a Lebanon shopping center temporarily closed the facility when about 30 locals staged a protest over a pair of shoes bearing the Christian cross.

Ali Fakih, owner of the Big Sale shopping center in Furn al-Shubbak, east of Beirut, said he shut the center down at about midday Friday when about 30 residents turned up to protest a pair of for-sale slippers bearing the image of the cross, The Daily Star, Beirut, reported Friday.

"We apologize. We had no intentions to hurt any religion or sect. We are all brethren in this country," Fakih told a local radio station.

"Do you think we intended to stir a hubbub over slippers that were being sold for LL2,000 ($1.34) ?" he asked.

He said he temporarily closed the shopping center "to avoid any hard feelings."

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